Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Celebrates Renovation of The Humanities Theatre and Performing Arts Center at Queensborough Community College
On February 21, students, alumni, faculty, staff, elected officials, and other special guests arrived to celebrate the official opening of the Humanities Theatre and Performing Arts Center at Queensborough Community College. The roots of this celebration began with a vision for a more accessible theatre request to make this space more wheelchair friendly.
Dr. Christine Mangino, President of Queensborough Community College, said, “What exists now—because of our past and present elected officials and community partners, is a fully renovated state-of-the-art cultural center for the arts, and a learning laboratory to integrate the arts into the learning process for our students to hone their craft.”
Queensborough Community College extends special thanks and appreciation to the many legislators who have supported this unique endeavor: Senators Toby Stavisky and John Liu and Assembly Members Catalina Cruz, Andrew Hevesi and David Weprin and Council Member Linda Lee as well as former Council Members Daniel Drumm, Barry Grodenchik, Peter Koo, and Karen Koslowitz.
Following the Ribbon Cutting guests attended a presentation of Julio Ain’t Goin’ Down Like That written by Department of Communication, Theatre, & Media Production Chair C. Julian Jiménez, a queer, Puerto Rican and Dominican playwright.
The show was produced through generous support by INTAR Theatre, a long-standing partner with the Queensborough theatre program.
“INTAR has employed and given opportunities to numerous Queensborough students to begin their professional, theatrical careers. They share the same values as I do, giving students of color access to an industry that has so many gatekeepers,” said Professor Jiménez.
Julio Ain’t Goin’ Down Like That centers on the brutal murder of Julio Rivera, a gay Puerto Rican man in Jackson Heights, Queens. The murder became the first gay hate crime tried in New York State during the 1990s. Former Queensborough students will reprise their original roles and participate in a talkback to share their experiences working on the production.
The Queensborough Performing Arts Center is positioned to both transform the lives of Queensborough’s students and build stronger communities. Educating, enlightening, and enriching has been its mission since its beginnings 58 years ago to entertain through artistic excellence.
“Our programs have had a significant impact on families from St. Albans, to Whitestone, from Far Rockaway to Astoria,” said Susan Agin, who has served Queensborough as Executive and Artistic Director for 20 years. “We have made it our mission to connect communities through live performances and in a city that already commands attention for its countless cultural options, the diverse programs QPAC offers and their affordability to everyone add an essential element to the borough’s profile.”
Just a few of the scores of celebrities and renowned bands who have performed at QPAC through the years are Dionne Warwick, Bernadette Peters, Patti LuPone, Robert Klein, The Commodores, Michael Bolton, Joan Rivers, Tony Orlando, Peabo Bryson and KC and the Sunshine Band.
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